For Mithold

Two days have past since Freydis’s announcement. News of the decision spread across Ymirra within hours. A day after, the leaders of the sister realms have requested a meeting to discuss future plans with Solgrad and expressed the desire to settle differences.

“How is Eiric?” Freydis asked as Vilgur exited Eiric’s medical room.

Vilgur and Sigrun escaped their battle against Tyran with minor injuries, but Eiric pushed his body past its limit. His usage of his blessing and damage to his body combined with extreme bloodless, the doctors were surprised that Eiric arrived by his own two feet for treatment.

“The doctors say he simply refuses to die. He’ll be fine.”

“Good.” Tyran said.

“Are you going to get in our way again?”

“The new queen has been introduced; I am loyal to her and the kingdom. I still believe the blessed are dangerous, but I pray that you all will be successful in your journey. Don’t misunderstand, I will slay any danger to Solgrad. But I agree with the doctors. His will is unparalleled. Some silly curse will not take him.”

“Wow, praise from Tyran is incredibly rare. Just how well did Eiric fight?” Freydis said.

“Hmph, the boy has a long way to go.” Tyran smiles, “I wish you all well.”

“Even I was surprised.” Vilgur said.

“By Tyran’s compliment?”

“That as well. Eiric. I’ve never seen him fight with such conviction. If he fought like that against me, I’d lose.”

“Seems you have some training to do. I’ll be there to help with that.”

“Thank you. Are you going now?”

“I am. I can’t avoid her forever.”

Vilgur sits outside Freydis’s town home where her mother resides. The guards from before remain, one of Runa’s first orders to keep her under utmost protection.

Freydis makes her mother’s favorite tea, though it hasn’t elicited any great response.

“How are you?” Freydis said.

“I’m ok. How are you?”

“I’m well. Mom, there’s something I must tell you. I’m afraid however. I don’t want you to be saddened by it.”

“Tell me. I’m sure you mean well.”

“Ok… I abdicated the throne. I have given it to someone trustworthy, someone I believe will care for what you and our family have cared for so much. I hope you will forgive me for stepping away from the throne.”

“May I ask why you did?”

“I must leave Solgrad. Runa will do her best to mend our relationship with the other realms, but I must cure the blessed. Only then will Mithold, and all of Ymirra be safe. I’ve met great friends who will journey with me. I will be away for some time. I know it may disappoint you, but I promise to return once I have succeeded. I will make sure you all will never have to live with such fear again, and the blessed will no longer fear their own power.”

“Do you believe it was the right choice?”

“I do. Because I have the strength to help with this mission.”

Kara hugs Freydis. “Then it was the right choice. Freydis, I never lost hope for you. Even when the world was nothing but darkness, you shined.”

“Mom. I’m sorry. I wish I could have saved everyone. I’ve made so many mistakes, but I will make sure not to fail with this. Just, wait for me, please. I still want to spend many more days with you.”

Kara pulls Freydis closer, her tears falling on her daughters back.

“Mom?”

“Freydis. I’m so sorry. You’ve kept Solgrad together, and now you’re leaving to protect us. You’re so strong. I’ll be here. I promise. Not like this, but as your mother, I will be here. So please, return to me. Your father, your bother, they would be so proud of you.”

“I will mom. I promise.”

“How was it?” Vilgur said.

“Good. I think I did the right thing. And she’s there. I saw it before, but now I am certain. My mother is still with me.”

The two return to the throne room where Sigrun, Eiric, the captains of Solgrad, and the heads of the noble families have been gathered.

“You’re a tyrant!” The Bal family head yells.

“Tyrant?! You lot have gone too long disrespecting the ruling family, consider yourself fortunate that Freydis is kind spirit. I will not be so kind. As I said, you all will turn over who sent that blessed to Selby. Or I will send Tyran to investigate.”

Tyran was kept in the dark about the blessed attack under suspicion that he was part of the scheme. Investigations proved otherwise, and Tyran was the most outraged of the captains upon hearing of what occurred. Cruel and willing to do whatever it takes to protect Solgrad, the thought of such an attack bringing ruin to the kingdom angered him beyond belief.

“King Harald, please, you must understand that this could cause war amongst the noble families.”

King Harald, Runa’s husband of over a decade. Nothing more than an honest farmer, the news of being the new king of Solgrad left him unconscious. He believes himself incapable, but supporting Runa is his highest priority. His farm, for example, was one filled with memories of Runa’s past, and of their time together. Something he believes would help her even as she gave her memories away.

“Ehhh, I think you all have gone too far in search of the throne. Do you really think the people of Solgrad would have accepted any of you over someone like Runa? I myself am unqualified, but Runa is more than worthy.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself king Harald, many already have a good opinion of you for your work.” Alvis said.

“Oh please, Runa is the one deserving of praise. The order is final, you may leave now, I believe we have something important to discuss with princess Freydis.”

“Just Freydis will do, king Harald.” Freydis bows, but she uses the opportunity to stick her tongue out at the exiting noble families.

“Haaaah.” Runa sinks into her throne, “Freydis, you never told me how exhausting this is.”

“I think you’re doing well, though, please pace yourself.”

“I will. As much I can at least, we still have much to do. Alvis, I will not be able to participate in the battle against the protector in my state, do you believe it is still possible?”

“Even if you were able, I wouldn’t allow it, queen Runa. As for the battle, your safety is now a concern as you have just taken the throne. With that said, we cannot risk losing too much power. As such, I ask that only Dagrmir and I go.”

“Denied.” Ingrid said.

“We don’t have enough gold on Ymirra to pay your price for this job Ingrid.”

“Fool. This battle is as personal for me as it is for you.”

“Ingrid, your power may be needed here.”

“Dagrmir and Tyran are more than capable of protecting Runa, you will need my strength against that monster. Queen Runa, I ask that Alvis and I be the ones sent to battle.”

“It’s difficult to send our first and second captain, but I have promised to support this mission. Fine, Alvis and Ingrid will be the two to go. Eiric, Sigrun, Freydis, Vilgur, I hope you all will understand.”

“Of course. I’m still confident, you all are must stronger now after all.” Freydis said.

“We are. But we won’t allow overconfidence to blind us this time. We must still prepare for this battle.”

“Then it is settled. You four, I will pray for your success. But the other realms will be up to you. I will do all I can to make them our allies, with any luck they will support you. You will have to convince them to fight alongside you however. Grow stronger, gather allies, I entrust the future of Ymirra to you.”

“And we will make sure Ymirra is safe.” Eiric said, “Thank you, queen Runa.”

Freydis looks to Solgrad as they leave for Sanctuary.

“I will miss home.” Freydis said.

“You can return any time you like.” Sigrun said.

“No. I’ve made up my mind, I won’t return until we are done. I have some angels to punch!”

“Well, we better hurry, your mother will be waiting.”

“Hey Eiric, can your light step get us to heaven?” Vilgur said.

“I could try.”

“Hahaha, you fools, heaven is above even the clouds.” Alvis said.

“How would you know?” Ingrid punches Alvis, “Once we are done with this, you will owe me dinner.”

“See, I knew you were going to charge us.”

“We should all eat to celebrate.” Eiric said.

“That’s some confidence in your voice; believe we will win?”

“I do. I have faith in you all.”

Sigrun wraps herself around Eiric’s arm. “We’ll do it together.”

“We will. Oh, but there is one thing we must do first.”

“What’s that?”

The group heads for Sanctuary, a difficult battle awaiting them but all confident they will succeed.